I received a recumbent bike for Christmas. I have ridden at least 10 miles 4-5 days each week since that time. This past week, I kicked it up a notch and began riding at least 15 miles at least four days a week.

But today, something wonderful happened.

The sun came out and it was SIXTY FOUR degrees.

I just couldn’t stand the thought of riding that bike for an hour in our basement when the sun was shining brightly. Instead, I dug out a pair of ear buds and I hit the pavement.

Y’all.

I. WALKED. TWO. MILES.

And, I walked fast!

Afterwards, I felt rejuvenated, and renewed. I can’t tell you how wonderful it felt to be out and about in Capri pants and a short sleeve shirt in the middle of February, especially after we’ve been up to our eyeballs in snow for the past month.

I enjoyed a brisk walk through my neighborhood with my iPod. I listen to music when I exercise for a number of reasons,

It helps me walk faster and pedal harder.

It ALWAYS helps my mood.

It helps to pass the time.

It makes me happy.

I thought it might be fun to share the list on the off-chance that you haven’t found a great playlist that really gets you moving. Before I get started you should know that I have a very eclectic mix of songs. (458 of them to be exact.)

1. Rag Doll  Aerosmith

Oh shoot. Nothing gets my blood pumpin’ quicker than some Aerosmith.

2. Love On Top  Beyonce

I first heard this song when Maks danced with Zendaya on DWTS. I added it to my playlist that night and it is a great song for getting your rear in gear. This song always makes me kick it up a notch because, BEYONCE.3. Give Me Your Eyes  Brandon HeathMy favorite song by Brandon Heath. Great words. Great beat.

4. Sing A Song  Third Day

You know, because after Beyoncé and Steven Tyler, I need to clean things up a bit. Seriously though, I have more Third Day on my iPod than anything. Love them.

Hey, 1993 called. They want their song back. Its apparently Ghetto fabulous, and it will cause you to go harder, faster, and stronger.

6. Made To Love – TobyMac

When this song blares through my ear buds, I pedal like Lance Armstrong.

On steroids.

(And now, hours later, that is evidenced by my sore calves.)

9. Lose My Soul  TobyMac (My favorite of his songs!)

You can’t really go wrong with tobyMac. He knows how to really rock it out.

10. Have Fun, Go Mad – Blair

I have no idea how I discovered this song, but it is one of my favorites when I’m exercising.

11. Feelin So Fly  tobyMac

Remember when I said you can’t go wrong with tobyMac? I meant it.

12. The Way You Make Me Feel – Michael Jackson

With one minute left in this song, I started up the big hill in our neighborhood today. To hear MJ yell, “GO ON GIRL” well, let’s just say, it made me smile and made me push myself harder.

13. These Thousand Hills – Third Day

These several hills on our street are the reason my calves are burning tonight.

14. You Learn – Alanis Morissette

Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill helps put some pep in my step. (Have I mentioned I have one diverse playlist?)

15. Poison  Bell Biv Devoe

Y’all. I love me some 90’s music. This takes me back a year or twenty. (Am I really that old?)

16. Motownphilly – Boyz II Me

I have to fight the urge to break out my dance moves when I hear Motownphilly. And rest assured, I have some mean ones.

17. Rolling in the Deep – Adele

This is a toe-tapper for sure. A great song and a talented artist.

18. Oh Happy Day – BeBe Winans

I have this as one of the ringtones on my phone. This song changes my mood every time I hear it.

19. Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke

What can I say, except I love a song with a good beat? I heard this song on the radio one night and immediately downloaded it to my iPod. It is currently one of my favorite songs, probably because I’m a good girl. Ahem.

20. Me, Myself and I – De La Soul

Another oldie, but goodie.

And there you have it.

A great collection of workout tunes that promises to make you go longer, harder, faster, and stronger.

Last time we spoke, I was teetering on the edge praying that the replacement iPhone I received that day from Apple would accept the backup from iTunes from my original iPhone – after it was diagnosed with a bad battery – just as it was supposed to. I am pleased to report that everything went as planned, and within an hour or so, it was all set up, and my world started spinning again.

Things were a little iffy for a bit, but thankfully everything went according to plan.

Now, on to my next order of business…

Christmas is right around the corner. In other words, things are gettin’ serious. That means, it is time to buckle down and do some serious shopping if I intend to stick to my original word that I would have most of my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving. And just because I’m such a nice gal, I thought I should share some of the things I found while shopping online tonight, with you, my faithful readers.

All eight of you.

These items range in price from $2.00 to well, a lot more than that. But at least there’s something to fit every budget. And in the interest of full disclosure (because I’m not interested in going back to Jail) I am not being paid, pressured, or compensated in any way to promote any of these items. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

So there.

1. I love anything at all with my name on it (which explains why I have about fifteen monogrammed 31 bags), so it should come as no surprise that I just love these monogrammed ornaments.

2. No gift idea list of mine would be complete without at least one pair of shoes on it, because in my opinion, one can NEVER have too many shoes. I pinned these sandals several months ago and I absolutely love them. (And if McDaddy is lurking around here on the blog today… I would love these in a size nine – preferably in a more neutral color like black or brown.)

3. A few months ago I began carrying a purse I could sling over my shoulder. I found this one (Vera Bradley hipster) on sale at a military base exchange in Jacksonville over the summer and have been carrying it since. I absolutely love it because it allows me to be hands-free, and if it gets dirty, you can throw it right into the washer. (The print shown here is called “GO WILD” which is fitting, but I also love the new print Canterbury Cobalt.) Before we went to New York, I purchased the Backpack Tote in Canterbury Cobalt and it was perfect for carrying my DSLR Camera plus everything that I needed while touring the streets of New York City. (McDaddy, a hipster in Canterbury Cranberry, would be lovely.)

4. And speaking of DSLR’s, I am including this because it truly is one of the best purchases I have ever made. It is absolutely wonderful for capturing great moments on the baseball field no matter how far away you are sitting, though you can’t tell it from this out-of-focus picture I shot with my iPhone.

5. If you’re looking for a great stocking stuffer, look no further. I think I speak for women everywhere when I say that we go all-out crazy for a good Sharpie. These super-fine tip ones are awesome! (And if McDaddy could find them in colors other than black, I think he should totally get them for me!)

6. I live in West Virginia. It is hotter than you-know-what in the summer and colder than an Eskimo in a refrigerator in the winter. These gloves are so handy (Ha! I crack myself up!) because you can use your iPhone without removing them. My sister-in-law bought me this pair a few years back when she drew my name for Christmas.

7. If you have a friend who enjoys reading, this is a great read.

Sparkly Green Earrings, written by my favorite blogger friend, Melanie Shankle (and when I say, my favorite blogger friend, what I really mean is that I read her blog everyday and it is my favorite, not that we go eat Mexican every Thursday and discuss world problems, though if she lived closer I have no doubt we’d be fast friends) is easy-to-read and I’ve even read parts of it twice. I haven’t read very many books since getting my iPhone (Actually, I haven’t done much of anything since getting my iPhone) but I just knew this was going to be a great book. As is the case most of the time, I was right.

8. If you don’t have one of these,

what are you waiting on?

I am declaring the iPhone the best invention of my time, and it wouldn’t be caught dead without an Otter Box because GREAT PROTECTION.

9. Looking for some great smelling perfume?

Go getcha’ some of this. I wear Ralph Lauren’s romance everyday and I love it.

10. We go through some candles up in here. (And by we, I mostly mean, me, because McDaddy always makes some crack about a séance when I light them.)

You can’t go wrong with a Yankee Candle. (Well, unless you get the Winter Pine / Evergreen one, and then? You need to re-gift that stinky sucker as soon as possible!) Cranberry Chutney is my favorite. I have vanilla cupcake burning in my bathroom and banana nut bread burning just inches away from me. I also like Red Velvet, Vanilla frosting, spice cake and just about any other candle that smells like something I’d eat.

11. And last, but certainly not least (you knew this one was coming), it’s my absolute favorite gift of all the time.

And I suspect it will be for the better part of forever.

The Saturn Sky.

Only problem is, you’ll have to search online for a used one because Saturn went belly up years ago.

I cleaned like a crazy person today. Actually, I cleaned and danced like a crazy person today. I had some clutter to put away, three week’s worth of mail to sort through, and some decor to change out. I linked up my iPhone with the bluetooth wireless speaker that McDaddy got for Christmas, blasted some Third Day, Toby Mac, and Selah and I went to town swarping papers, cleaning countertops, putting dishes away and sweeping the floors. I danced and cleaned for 45 minutes. My heart was banging and I had sweat. So, that’s good, right?

It felt good knowing that I was cleaning my house while also getting in some exercise.

A few days ago, I asked for your help with finding a good calorie tracking APP. Several of you suggested My Fitness Pal, which I downloaded today.

Y’all.

I was thrilled that it was so easy to use.

When I ate two pieces of Pepperidge Farm toast for lunch, I was able to scan the bar code on the bread-bag and the APP spit out the nutrition information.

Boom, just like that.

And after I cleaned and danced like a crazy person, I input that information into the cardio tab on the APP and was surprised that the APP adjusted and allowed for more caloric intake.

Later in the evening I did 15 minutes of Wii Fit. The advanced step and free run was listed alongside of their calories burned info. It was quick and easy to put the info in.

There was just one slight problem.

My new Fitness Pal wasn’t so friendly on our first day as pals.

It appears that I shot my caloric wad by more than 400.

Looks like I shoulda’ cleaned and danced like a crazy person for about seventy more minutes.

Or skipped breakfast.

Phew.

I was even more depressed when I put McDonald’s big breakfast with hotcake into the APP just to see how many calories it would cost me if I decided to go that route the next time I meet the girls at McDonalds for breakfast. As it turns out, they don’t call it BIG BREAKFAST with hotcakes for nothing. That little bit of greasy Heaven will cost you 1100 calories. Or in my case, just a little less if you forgo the greasy hashbrown.

Eleven friggin’ hundred.

OUT OF 1500.

Which means I’d have to eat two cheese slices for lunch and a two bananas for dinner.

Dang.

The BIG BREAKFAST with the hotcakes is history.

If you’re on My Fitness Pal, look me up. I suppose it would be fun to add friends, so long as My Fitness Pal doesn’t offer up my three numbers or rat me out when I fall off the biggest la-ooser wagon and eat a sleeve of thin mints.

Well, actually I like to visit new places, and sleep in hotels (yay for free breakfast, a pool and maid service!) and visit family in other states. I don’t so much like the actual travelling to get there. In fact, I rarely stay awake when travelling in a car, but if I am awake, I usually play Words With Friends or nose around on the Facebook.

McDaddy told his sister a few days ago that travelling with me – pre iPhone – was not fun.

This was a shock to me because really, I thought anything with me was fun.

It got me to thinking about my life pre iPhone, and it dawned on me that sadly, I can barely remember what life was like pre iPhone. And then I thought, why would I want to?

Before the iPhone….

I didn’t spend nearly the amount of time in the bathroom as I do now.

I used a pocket calendar to record every single appointment and rarely missed one.

I never worried about leaving home without a cell phone charger in my purse.

I had no idea RAJ, TAJ and HAJ were “words.”

I had to carry a camera if I wanted to take a picture.

I checked my e-mail once a day. In the evening.

Same with Facebook.

The only notes I wrote were on a notepad.

I depended on the news to deliver the weather report.

I purchased CDs.

I sometimes forgot to set my alarm clock.

I used a cell phone to call people. Period.

The only time I listened to KLOVE was in the car.

If I wanted to do price comparison I had to drive to different stores.

Somewhere McDaddy is rolling his eyes while reading this on his iTouch.

If I remember correctly, I mentioned a week or so ago that McDaddy and I would be celebrating our 20th reunion next year. For that reason, and mostly because I was pregnant at our ten year reunion and had a good excuse I simply need to, I renewed my gym membership on Monday. This is my third go around with the gym, and I’m hoping the third times a charm.

Though I know what you must be thinking.

I’ll have you know these first two days are going perfectly.

So there.

Luckily I have a great workout mix to help me along this journey. My workout mix is great because it drowns out the crazy voice in my head that says, “DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW CRAZY YOU LOOK?” And then I look up and see two old men on the treadmills in dress pants and tassel shoes and I holler back at her, “ME? HAVE A LOOK AT THOSE JOKERS!” And then, I may or may not snap a picture of the jokers just because I can. Just a short time later, I assess the room and conclude that I am the youngest person in the joint.

Which gives me great satisfaction for some weird reason.

I love my workout mix. And by workout mix, I am actually referring to the 438 songs I have on my iPod which turn into a workout mix when I skip through the songs that don’t bring a darn thing to my workout table.

So, without further ado, here are a few of the songs that made the cut today.

1. Rag Doll – Aerosmith

Oh shoot. Nothing gets my blood pumpin quicker than some Aerosmith which is good because I HATE the ellpitical with a passion. I’m always proud of myself when my time is done there though. (And just in case you’re wondering the entire Aerosmith collection is also a fabulous choice to blast in a Jeep Wrangler with the top down.)

2. You Never Even Called Me By My Name – David Alan Coe

Let me start by saying that the beat of this song might not motivate you, but the smile on your face while listening to it will. It reminds me of my college days because they used to play it in the dive establishment I used to frequent.

3. Love On Top – Beyonce

I first heard this song when Maks dances with Zendaya on DWTS. I added it to my playlist that night and it is a great song for getting your rear in gear. I pedal fast because my love is on top. With McDaddy.

4. Give Me Your Eyes – Brandon Heath

My favorite song by Brandon Heath. I kick it up a notch whenever this comes on.

5. Sing A Song – Third Day

You know because after Booti Call and Steven Tyler, I need to clean things up quite a bit. Seriously though, I have more Third Day on my iPod than anything. Love them.

One of my favorite things about summer is driving around town in my Saturn Sky minivan, windows down, bass thumping and the radio blaring.

You know, like I’m 16 again.

Yesterday, I attended a wedding with a friend of mine. McDaddy is out of town and my friend’s hubby just plain didn’t want to go to the wedding, so the two of us went together. On the way to pick her up, I turned the radio on full blast and sang Give Me Your Eyes (Brandon Heath) at the top of my lungs.

I felt reckless and free.

Or something like that.

I thought it might be fun to share some of the cool tunes I have on my iPod, on the off chance that you too, would like to have them on your iPod blare them out your car radio speakers this week.

I’m embarrassed to say I haveno idea how to remove the Christmas songs from my iPod. I’ve attempted it on three different occasions and each time I am left wondering WHY IN THE HECK I HAVEN’T THE GOOD SENSE TO REMOVE A FEW SONGS WHO HAVE NO BUSINESS ON MY IPOD IN JUNE!

It’s maddening that I follow the same procedure for removing songs as I do every single time, and still they are there. For the sake of time, and because it is 108 degrees outside, I will skip over anything remotely resembling a Christmas song.

– Shy Guy (Bad Boys Soundtrack) – This song makes we want to bust a move and I often do when it comes on. My favorite part is the very beginning when she yells, I don’t want no fly guy, I just want a shy guy and then it goes into all out beat bumpin’. Great choice, here.

– Made to Love (tobyMac) – This song puts me in a good mood every time. The only thing better than a rap song is a contemporary Christian rap song. It is three point five minutes of all out wonderfulness. Oh, and just for giggles, his single, City On Your Knees is pretty good, too!

– Expression (Salt-N-Pepa) – If ever there was a pick-me-up song, this one would be it. Hearing it again reminds of this one time.. at band camp. No, but seriously, each year at band camp, we finished our week off with a dance. I clearly remember a certain group of girls expressing themselves with a colorful tie-dyed outfit and big bangs.

Or maybe that was just me.

Whatever.

– Do Me! (Bell Biv DeVoe) – Not a whole to say about this one because have you heard it? Don’t let the title scare you off because really? You’ll pay more attention to the beat than you will the words.

– Stayin’ Alive (Matt Girard) – I love the original version of this one, but Matt Girard did a find job on it, too. It was one of my favorite American Idol moments from his season.

- Oh Happy Day (BeBe Winans) – This was the song that Usher sang on Oprah’s last hoo-ray recently and I loved his rendition of it. This song has a great beat and even greater message.

– Play That Funky Music (Adam Lambert) – Okay, this is another American Idol song, but it’s truly worthy of being included on this list. And look at the bright side, you get to enjoy Lambert’s singing without having to endure the “guyliner”. This one is almost as good as Kris Allen’s version of Remember the Time.

– You Learn (Alanis Morissette) – It might come as a surprise to find out that I am a huge fan of Alanis Morissette. This is a great one if you happen to be a jilted lover. Or if you just like a great song with a catchy tune. And if you’re feelin’ really frisky, go have a listen to All I Really Want.

– Motownphilly (Boyz II Men) – It’s hard for me to grasp the fact that this song is more than 20 years old. It seems like just yesterday it was blasting from my first car, a 1981 Buick Regal.

– Comin’ to Your City (Big and Rich) – You country fans will love this one. I love the fact that Charleston made the cut, though I have no idea who the Jessica White they refer to in the song is. Even so, this song makes me happy.

– Have Fun, Go Mad (Blair) – And no, before you ask I have no idea what else Blair sings. In fact, I didn’t even remember their name. Even so, this song describes my life. If you do not know of, or have this song, I would suggest you go over to You Tube or Music Tube or whatever and find it. At this very moment, I am rocking back and forth smiling from ear-t0-ear because that’s just what it does to you. One of my favorites on the whole list. In fact, it’s so great, you can check it out quickly right here.

I told you it was the bomb diggety.

Am I too old to say that?

- Killing Me Softly (The Fugees) – Even though no one is currently killing me softly with his song, I still love this song.

– Hold Us Together (Matt Maher) – I’ve loved this song this the very first time I ever heard it. In fact, I liked it so well, I made a ringtone out of it. It has a nice beat that I think you’ll love.

And lastly,

– If I Had No Loot (Tony! Toni! Tone!) – Aside from the three different spellings for the same name, I love these guys. This song makes me want to boogie. When I’m in the gym, this song makes me step it up a notch.

And in my book, or iPod, or whatever, any song that makes you step it a notch is a hit.

As I made my way through the day, I divided my time between blowing my nose (I know y’all are tired of hearing about that) and throwing the growing mound of kleenex in the trash. If I had a dollar for every tissue I’ve used over the past month, I could probably buy a Saturn Sky.

Or at the very least, an iPad.

And speaking of iPads (Don’t you just love the way I made that transition?), have I mentioned that a need want one?

Because seriously. I do.

It is the next thing on my list.

You know the list to which I refer. I’m speaking of the ongoing list in my head of things I just. have. to. have. I’ve hintedmentioned to McDaddy one or three thousand times that I really want one and y’all know I don’t give up. I’ll keep you updated on my latest campaign but just know that once I get something in my head, I am relentless in my quest. Especially when you consider how useful the iPad would be to our little family. [wink, wink]

It is difficult to imagine that our boys will probably never have the experience of pulling an encyclopedia from the shelf to write a reasearch paper. Or learn about a President. Or find out the population of China. Thanks to Google, endless information is readily available at our fingertips any hour of the day.

Technology has become invaluable to us and I love being able to find out anything at anytime about [almost] anybody. Even at eight and six my kids are tech savvy. By the age of six, Stevie knew how to send and receive an e-mail. At eight, he can easily operate his iTouch. Hard to believe that technology is such an impoartant part of our kids’ lives at such an early age. Take for instance an English assignment Stevie brought home today. (Keep in mind that he is in second grade.)

See there.

E-mail.

In the second grade.

It amused me that I snapped this picture as McDaddy checked e-mail on his work laptop.

And speaking of laptops, have I mentioned I’d also like to have an iMac?

Apples are good for you, right?

And speaking of apples, wouldn’t Steve Jobs just love this next shot?

I am a founding member of the iCult, er I mean iClub. I consider the iPhone to be the best invention of my time.

I say that because IT TOTALLY IS. I’d like to find the suckers credited with designing and engineering the iPhone and thank them for the amount of hours I now waste on their fancy little creation. I seriously can’t remember what I did with my time before the iPhone.

And speaking of time, how’s this for a handy piece of technology.

Meet my arch enemy, the alarm clock.

Please, pay no attention to the dust.

This Homedics SS-5000 Spa Premier AM/FM Atomic Clock Radio (try saying that three times real fast) is a technological device that does its best to drive me insane. First of all, it features an atomic clock that never needs to be set. That is, UNLESS the electric flickers. If the electric flickers (which happens frequently at our house) the clock automatically sets itself to Central time which would be fine except for the fact that I live in the Eastern time zone.

Next, the clock features indoor and outdoor temperature display. A little white “pager” size thing sits in our bedroom window and transmits the temperature to the clock. Before I ever step a foot out of my bed, I know exactly what the temperature is outside.

See, I told you it was fancy.

And finally, this fancy technological gizmo projects the time and temperature onto the ceiling (except my projector quit working about three months ago). Maybe a Homemedic Bigwig will happen onto the blog today and send me a replacement. As bad as I hate to wake up in the morning, I really like all of its features. Sadly though, at 6:40 AM EST, the rainforest “noise” will be chirping at me to wake the heck up.

Back in 2008, I joined the YMCA near our house and started on a weight-loss journey.

My goal was to lose a pound of week for forever as long as it took to get healthy. I stayed with it hot and heavy for 25 weeks. I lost 25 pounds and it felt good knowing that I walked into a gym having not the first clue about the machines and apparatuses (I love that word!) and continued on steadily losing one pound per week just as my Doctor suggested.

Then winter came and it got cold.

And then Christmas snuck up on us and I was crazy busy.

Then, McDaddy left the US for a six month sentence deployment to Cuba and I ate myself into a frenzy. I found great comfort in my friend, Little Debbie (That witch sure makes a good cake!) and she and I would stay up half the night wallering in my misery.

One swiss cake roll at a time.

After McDaddy returned from his stint in Cuba, we made the decision to do something about the crimescenish periods (gross, I know!) I had been experiencing. My gynecologist suggested the Mirena IUD and I was all like sign me up! I was ready for three years of freedom from the girl products and already worked it out in my head how I would spend the money that I would be saving and no longer contrinuting to the Always and Stay Free empires. Not long after the um, procedure, I began experiencing dangerously high blood pressure, limb tingling, chest tightening and weight gain. I pretty much had myself dead right in the middle of my living room. (Good thing my funeral plans are in order.)

Dramatic much?

No really. This was serious business.

After weeks of internet research (I know, I know!), a call to the IUD manufacturer, a consultation with my Medical Doctor and prayer (lots and lots of it) I asked my gynecologist to remove the thing. The dangerously high blood pressure, limb-tingling and chest tightening disappeared as quick as it came, but sadly, the stinkin’ weight stayed put.

So. Here I am almost a year later engaged in a fierce battle with the elliptical machine weight-loss efforts. I know that it will work for me if I stick with it.

I started out on the treadmill which is funny if you know me because that’s pretty much like taking my life into my own hands because there are moving parts and I am a klutz. After I got my heart pumping, I moved to the exercise bike because I can sit safely in a seat without fear of falling. Plus, I can play Words With Friends and nose around on the Facebook.

I set my iPod on shuffle and set the exercise bike for thirty minutes. I was pedalling all Lance Armstrong style (or at least I was in my head), and playing Words With Friends when it dawned on me that each song was speaking to me through those ridiculously uncomfortable earphone buds or whatever apple named them.

The songs were taunting me.

The more the songs taunted me, the faster I pedalled and it turned out to be a good method for me.

1. Joy and Pain – Turns out Rob Bass was half-right.

2. Save A Place For Me - You know, in case I kick off right there in the middle of the gym from over-exertion. (Matthew West)

4. If you gotta start somewhere why not here, If you gotta start sometime why not now – It’s such a long road, but just like McDaddy said, “You’re farther along today than you were yesterday.” (*big sigh*) tobyMac (City on our Knees)

5. Soon And Very Soon, We Are Going To See The King – Maybe I’ll be seeing the King sooner than I think if I can’t catch my breath. Andrae Crouch

6. Stayin’ Alive – I’m giving it all I’ve got. (The Bee Gees)

7. Why Can’t We Be Friends? – Because Little Debbie, you are no good for me. Sorry. (War)

Taunting me. Every single song.

And now I’m off to bed so that Debbie doesn’t get the best of me.

Wish me luck folks. Here’s hoping that my time in the gym WORKS FOR ME.

Meet Julie

I'm a 40-year-old stay-at-home mom that rarely stays at home. I am married to the most patient man on the planet and have two very sweet little boys. I do hope you'll stop by often as I'll be serving up a daily dose of crazy in between playdates, PTA, domestic duties, and the daily docket on my DVR. Read More…